…to want my cake tin back?!

Just let it go and buy a new one. Don’t create a battle. It’s pointless.
It’s no biggie, is it.

I have crappy forks etc kept in the back of the drawer especially for this sort of thing - leftover from when I used to have to take a spoon etc to work when I was visiting random sites that had nothing.

I hope it isn't the case here, but some people are really thick/lazy and wasteful when it comes to tubs and tins that are (you would think) clearly intended to be washed and re-used again and again - and will assume they're meant to be disposable and just chuck them away after using them once.

I'm just wondering, if she doesn't have much idea of baking, whether she thought that baking tins were meant to be single use and she threw it away. Then, when she heard that you actually wanted yours back, she was amazed and thought, "Well they have them in Poundland if she's so tight".

Normally, you definitely want to put a name label on any container that you lend somebody - the washable ones are very durable for plastic tubs etc.; but there isn't really any kind of label that would survive being in the oven.

Goodness me, just call or text her and say your DH is on his way to collect the right tin. If he’s not keen, tell him you lent his best drill t9 a neighbour and you’re not sure what will be coming back.

I’ve been in this situation (my sister in law is lovely though and just forgot to return my tin). I waited until I was round there, in her kitchen, and then just explained what had happened and asked if I could look for it. It’s easier when you’re right there and avoids mix ups! Good luck with getting it back.

Tell her yours was a gift from a good friend so you need it back pronto. I don’t see what the issue is.

I would be gutted.
My bakeware is almost personal. Some of my tins I baked my wedding/christening cakes in. Also I hve baked many Mother’s Day cakes and children’s birthday cakes. I’ve got most sizes and I am a firm believer in you only get what you pay for so all of mine are really good quality.
I would have to say something. I like the popping round with it and saying ‘you sent the wrong one back - would you like me to help you find mine’.

But I would be gettimg it back and it wouldn’t leave my house without me again!!

Just tell her DH has picked up the wrong tin, and your's is part of a set which you inherited from an old aunt, so whereas you would normally have said nothing, your original tin needs to come home.

If she comes back with some tosh about you keeping the newer tin, spinning it as a positive, just feed her some crap about how you've spent years 'baking in the tin' and now it's your favourite, even though it's old, and state that you'd be really sad to lose it. Throw DH under the bus and say he really should have known not to leave the cake in your fave tin!

You need to be ready for further cheeky fuckery because it's highly likely she's opted to keep the better tin!

I think this is a bad idea. Newer could be seen to be better, so it leaves her open to saying “oh don’t worry”.

Much better to say “Hi X, thanks for giving DH the cake tin. Unfortunately it’s not my one! I’ve had mine years, and I love it, so will need to get it back from you. Please let me know when is convenient”

I’ve got a favourite tin I bake my Christmas cakes in - it’s very sturdy and cost ££ precisely because it needs to stand up to hours in the oven and transmit heat properly. A cheap £2.50 Poundland lookalike that might be the same size would be glaringly obvious to me.

I wouldn’t hesitate to point out it’s the wrong tin; I’d do it breezily but firmly and maybe make the point that it’s my essential tin for making my special /favourite recipe (or something along those lines) ‘they must have got mixed up somehow, so here’s yours back - if you’d just look mine out while I wait until you’ve done it thanks….’ <light but no-nonsense laugh>

Nobody takes my cake-tins!

Don't be daft! You've been given the wrong thing, accident or not, so of course it's reasonable to ask for the correct one! Ask!

Just tell her she’s given you the wrong one!

Nothing wrong with doing that at all.

Who said anything about borrowing???

This is a very good point.

i mean, where would we be if everyone stopped parking like arseholes?

We need the draaaamz!

'The cake tin you sent back with Bob is much newer than mine, can I have my one back please?'

Hi Barbara. Bob brought back a cake tin from you yesterday. Unfortunately, that is not my cake tin. My cake tin is an [insert here] brand, a thick grey tin with [whatever extras the tin has.] I'd appreciate it if you would look through your cabinets to find my tin and return it to me. It was a good quality tin that I use often and I need it back. Thanks.

Just get your stupid arse husband buy you a brand new one, the same brand or even better. Sorted.

Maybe explain to your DH with a comparison he would understand e.g. if he is into DIY this is the same as you lending your brother your DH's Makita drill and your brother returning one from the Aldi special buy aisle

Just explain it's not yours and ask for your own back. It could well be that she doesn't even realise it's the wrong one. (I've had cheap tins and now have a thick, more expensive one and it makes a huge difference!)

Yes! I would do this 💯.

There speaks a man whose mix has never graced the inside of a baking tin.

Oh my god, get it back.
I have good baking tins as well and I won't lend them. My neighbour texted me asking to borrow a few and I ignored the text until the next day saying sorry I missed it and hope it was sorted. 🫣

If they live close enough just pop round with the cheapo one and say “this one isn’t mine - shall I come in and find mine cos I know you’ve got a few.”